![]() ![]() Without fail, Hill is polite, soft spoken and profound. I have encountered Hill twice since then, both times at Armsby Abbey, and I have visited his brewery twice in Greensboro, Vermont. Hill’s interpretations have been lauded as downright elegant.Īccording to Instagram, my first hazy brew from Hill Farmstead came on March 19, 2014. One such conspirator was Shaun Hill of Hill Farmstead who set out to further perfect the style. The beer’s cloudy appearance was on account of brewer John Kimmich’s decision to leave Heady Topper unfiltered and unpasteurized.Ī few of his brewing peers were critical, but most hailed the new form as an innovation. Diehards chased down delivery trucks, waited in long lines, and braved the black market. The cultish, hazy, double IPA’s black-and-silver branding first became a discernible omen for the craft beer crowd when The Alchemist began canning Heady Topper in 2011. It helped me understand the notion of “balance” in a beer. Heady was capable of showcasing dank, earthy hops with complete self control. It didn’t float across my palate as Julius had instead, it offered a slightly bitter finish that never lingered. I stepped out on the porch with the can and took my time. The Heady was something of an afterthought for our host, who kept it stocked in his fridge with the level of nonchalance I’d reserve for a six pack of Chobani yogurts. Lots of sniffing and swishing, followed by a chorus of “Drink it or drain it!” ![]() I tried my first Heady Topper at a staff party during an interlude between tart pours from 750-milliliter bottle after 750-milliliter bottle. That is to say, they have one of the most exclusive draft lists in the country and a bevy of national accolades to prove it. In October of 2013 I began working nights at Armsby Abbey, which is to craft beer what the MoMA is to contemporary art. My run in with Julius opened a floodgate of citrusy blossoms, velvety bodies and sticky hops. The Alchemist’s Heady Topper - a New England IPA that spawned more than 6,000 imitations - is also on that list. Two moves and more than 3,500 batches of beer later, the brewery now boasts three of the top 10 rated beers in America on BeerAdvocate. This was only the beginning for Tree House, which has grown rapidly over the last six years. Julius, on the other hand, was intensely pungent with aromas of mango and citrus juice, but somehow she left no trace of malt sweetness on the palate. These beers weren’t so much complex as they were cocksure. ![]() All of the IPAs I had tasted before her prided themselves on sheer aggression and an audacious hop presence. Fruit-forward and pillowy with just a wisp of bitterness for dimension. Her name was Julius and I knew immediately that she was special. I was not impressed by the humble platform I found suspended in the branches and I told him so. I had traveled with a friend to their original brewery in the town of Brimfield for fresh air and the prospect of an actual tree house, which co-founder Dean Rohan was happy to show me just as long as I promised to be careful on my way up. The first time I tried a hazy IPA from Tree House Brewing Company was July 6, 2013. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |